The head of Parliament, Nabih Berri, presiding over a meeting of the Parliamentary Chamber's bureau in Ain al-Tineh, 22 April 2025. (Credit: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament)
“I am rather in favor of adopting closed lists to ensure Muslim-Christian parity [within the municipal council] in Beirut,” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar daily on Monday.This statement marks a stark shift in position. As recently as Thursday, he told visitors he remained opposed to any electoral law amendment aimed at guaranteeing such a parity, citing that there is not enough time to implement changes with only two weeks left before the elections.How can this U-turn be explained? Officially, it reflects Berri’s desire to preserve Muslim-Christian parity, which is under threat due to the anticipated tight race in the capital after the election’s boycott by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Future Movement — the main Sunni political force in Beirut. However, this change of stance — which came one day after...
“I am rather in favor of adopting closed lists to ensure Muslim-Christian parity [within the municipal council] in Beirut,” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar daily on Monday.This statement marks a stark shift in position. As recently as Thursday, he told visitors he remained opposed to any electoral law amendment aimed at guaranteeing such a parity, citing that there is not enough time to implement changes with only two weeks left before the elections.How can this U-turn be explained? Officially, it reflects Berri’s desire to preserve Muslim-Christian parity, which is under threat due to the anticipated tight race in the capital after the election’s boycott by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Future Movement — the main Sunni political force in Beirut. However, this change of stance — which came one day...